Tools and Equipment
The Operations Manager for a commercial building restorations contractor will make use of the Statement of Work and the Production Schedule to prepare for a job. He or the job foreman will stage a lot of tools, equipment and materials for their crew. The links below includes sources for much of the equipment and many of the tools used to complete restorations projects.
The sources and information on this page were compiled by an Operations Manager who created the production schedules for the projects his firm undertook. The tasks in the schedule determined what tools and materials were needed so if the schedule was detailed and accurate, and his lists comprehensive, operations proceeded efficiently. If they weren’t, progress could be interrupted.
Access Equipment, Ladders
Altrex
Scaffolding, suspended platforms, ladders and custom made access solutions.
Lapeyre Stair
The Lapeyre Alternating Tread Stair is an alternative to vertical ladders and steep stairs.
Werner Access Products
Werner is an integrated manufacturer and distributor of climbing equipment (ladders, scaffold components, fall protection).
Access Equipment, Scaffolding
Access Innovators Corporation
Wire Rope and hardware, electric: yokes, plugs, connectors, power and control cord, finished power and cord sets, strain relief, power quality analysis equipment, safety equipment, transformers, repair parts
Associated Scaffolding, Inc., NC, SC, VA & TN
Scaffolding sales and rental, safety equipment, ladders, PPE, pump jacks, trash chutes, lifts and hoists, engineering services including design, Scaffold and Access Industry Association Accredited training.
Altrex
Scaffolding, suspended platforms, ladders and custom made access solutions.
MIO Mechanical Corporation
Descenders, roof rigs, beam clamps, parapet clamps, anchors, bosun chairs, seat boards, rope grabs, cable grabs, harnesses, lanyards, miscellaneous anchors, rope connection plates and their MIO Horizontal Lifeline Fall Protection System (HLFPS)
Power Climber
hoists, platforms, rigging equipment, safety gear and accessories for the suspended access industry
Scaffold and Access Industry Association – SAIA
Formed in 1972 the SAIA is an association dedicated to access industry safety, training and education.
Single Point Adjustable Scaffold / Bosun’s Chair Operating Guide – OSHA
This “eTool” is OSHA’s guide for setting up and operating single point adjustable suspended work platforms. Bosun chairs are in this category.
Sky Climber
Designer and manufacturer of high quality, dependable suspended access equipment such as hoists, rigging solutions, and modular work platforms
SKYRIDER Custom Facade Access
Standard and custom designed hi-rise access equipment for new construction and existing buildings. Click here to review some of Skyriders projects and here for their products, which include Tieback devices for CDA (Controlled Descent Apparatus) equipped window cleaners, modular platforms and steps, indoor lifts that can pass though doorways, monorail tracks, davit carriages, winches for construction and building repair
Spider Staging
Suspended Scaffolding and rigging equipment, fall protection, material hoists, wind turbine access, installation and engineering services and training
Spider Knockdown Mod
A variety of configurations enables the platform to fit into tight, hard-to-reach working spaces for various access applications
Strong Man Safety Products Corporation
Reinforced Poly Fire Retardant Netting, Debris Netting, Horizontal Debris Netting, Scaffold Wrap Drainage Tarps, Personnel Safety Netting Silver-Black Tarps, Privacy Screen Vapor Barriers by Raven
Superior Scaffold Services, Philadelphia, PA
Highly experienced provider of scaffolding and access products and services in Philadelphia.
Swing Stage Scaffold Operating Guide – OSHA
This “eTool” is OSHA’s comprehensive guide for setting up and operating swing stage scaffolds.
Unique Rigging Applications for Suspended Scaffolding Webinar
Solve complicated rigging application challenges in multiple projects. Learn from examples and case studies on tank rigging, structural steel bridges, dams, angled wire ropes and rigging stars. Participants will be eligible to receive credit from SSPC.
Werner Company
Descenders, roof rigs, beam clamps, parapet clamps, anchors, bosun chairs, seat boards, rope grabs, cable grabs, harnesses, lanyards, miscellaneous anchors, rope connection plates and their MIO Horizontal Lifeline Fall Protection System (HLFPS)
Aircraft Landing Mat
To protect lawns from damage from aerial lifts and other vehicles plywood is often used. Aircraft landing mats are a sustainable alternative. The PSP Mat (Pierced Steel Plank) or Marston Mat consists of steel strips with holes punched through it in rows and U-shaped channels formed between the holes. The hooks are formed along one long edge and slots along the other long edge so that they can be connected to each other. The short edges are straight cut with no holes or hooks.
Calumet Industries
Coleman’s Military Surplus
Blast Equipment (in “Trade Services”)
Surfaces on commercial buildings are typically prepared for coatings or cleaned with high pressure water. When that won’t produce the desired effect blasting may be called for. Links to a multitude of blasting techniques and blast media and the equipment needed are on this page.
Caulk and Sealant Cutters (oscillating multi-tools)
FEIN MultiMaster
The Fein Multimaster is the best and, by far, most expensive multi-tool for cutting sealant out of joints.
Rockwell Sonicrafter F30 3.5 Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool
Rockwell is one of several tool manufactures who manufacture oscillating multi-tools that are far less expensive and less durable / effective than the Fein tools.
Cleaning
Envirowash – “The Clean, Green Solutiion For Paint Wash-up
water-based treatment system that turns paint wash-out from brushes and rollers into clean water and inert solid waste, allowing for easier and safer disposal
Shurhold Clean-N-Simple
Premium boat, RV and auto maintenance and care products including specialty items and chemicals such as buffing pad cleaners, rope handle buckets, PVA and micro fiber towels, scrubbing pads and polishers.
Containment
Eagle Industries
Jobsite enclosures & containment products including construction tarps, debris netting, reinforced poly, scaffold containment & weather enclosure sheetings for construction safety, demolition, debris protection, weatherization, & abatement containment.
Delta Diamond Products Inc.
“Delta Diamond manufactures and distributes a diamond products including diamond drill bits, blades, hole saws, cup wheels, concrete grinders and granite polishing pads. Also in the catalogue are a tile saw, wet saw, concrete saw, core drill and tuck pointing blades. They also sell Husqvarna handheld power cutters, including the Husqvarna chain saw.”
Dispensing Tools
Albion Dispensing Solutions
Pneumatic, electric and manual application and injection tools.
Milwaukee Caulking Guns
12, 14.4 and 18 volt for 10 ounce cartridges and 20 ounce sausages
Electrical Connection For Powered Scaffolds
208V 30 Amp Single Phase Electric “Pigtail” Hookup
Since this is installed in an electrical panel on the roof or an upper floor it is typically provided by the owner.
Glass Restoration and Repair
GlassRenu
GlassRenu packages a grinder, disks for the grinder of varying abrasive grades, a thermometer, polishing compound and other ancillary items like a spray bottle in a kit. The tools and materials, in the hands of a trained or skilled technician, are used to restore scratched or damaged glass in doors and windows, display cases, table tops and other glass surfaces. Their “Glass Restoration Service Network” consists of glass technicians and shops qualified to use their system and products.
GlassRenu Demo on YouTube
In this video a deep scratch in a storefront is removed using the GlassRenu system. UnscratchTheSurface.com claims to be the innovators of “The Original Dry Grind Glass Repair System” and to offer the only “No Distortion” Guarantee.
Presto Restoration Products
Presto Restoration Products is a small company that evolved from a restoration services firm to a provider of materials and tools for glass and architectural metals restoration and waterproofing.
Harnesses
CMC / Roco FreeTech™ Harness
This figure-8 style fall protection harness provides a means for the user to reorient into a seated position which transfers their body weight from the dorsal connector on the upper back to the front waist location of the harness. Doing so gives the wearer who is awaiting rescue increased freedom and mobility, which may help delay the onset of orthostatic intolerance, also referred to as suspension trauma.
Knives
Martor USA
Very extensive line of utility knives, scrapers, paper cutters and blades for multiple industries. Martor USA is the exclusive representative of Martor Solingen of Germany.
Power Tools
Unitec Power Tools
Construction, Industry, Mining, and Marine – Electric • Air • Hydraulic. Saws, including carbide chain saws for steel and concrete and reciprocating saws, tools for surface preparation, drills, mixing drills and mixing stations, dust collection, safety tools, specialty tools. From the web site home page: “In 1991 the company invented the first pneumatic portable band saw. In subsequent years the company has added to its list of industry firsts with the widest range of portable magnetic drills, hand-held hydraulic, pneumatic and electric concrete core drills, core bits, air concrete saws, hydraulic, electric and pneumatic band saws, air chain saws, air hack saws, pipe saws, reciprocating saws, saw blades, concrete grinders, sanders, polishers, surface finishing tools, corner drills, nut runners, portable nibblers, drills and drive units, air torque wrenches, rolling motors, rotary hammers, drill motors, dust extraction tools, vacuum systems, wall slotters, tuck point grinder, 9″ cut off saw, concrete grinders, angle grinders, mixers, mixing machines, mixing paddles, metal finishing tools and non-sparking hand tools.”
Pressure Washers
Mi-T-M Pressure Washers
Hot and cold water, electric, gas and diesel, portable and stationary, direct and belt drive
PressureNet.net
Pressure washing business network with information for professional pressure washing businesses.
The WaterJet Technology Association (WJTA) and Industrial & Municipal Cleaning Association (IMCA)
Members include high pressure waterjet and industrial vacuum equipment users, manufacturers, distributors, researchers, regulators, and consultants.
UltimateWasher.com
Retail sales of pressure washing systems, pressure washers, surface cleaners, generators, attachments and cleaning solutions. “. . . one-stop online superstore and the place with the most valuable tips and advice”.
Safety Glasses
SafeVision, LLC
Prescription safety glasses for work and sport.
Sand Blast
Texas Blaster
All purpose, versatile, portable sand blaster in production since 1964
Signage
Custom Safety Signs Online
Brady Worldwide has an app that allows users to create custom signs online.
Stone, Natural
Eastern Marble and Granite Supply Inc.
Eastern Marble and Granite Supply Inc., 2353 Beryllium Rd, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 sells chemicals, cleaners, adhesives, tools, supplies and large equipment for fabrication, repair and maintenance of marble and granite tile and dimension stone.
Core Bits and Hole Saws for Marble and Granite
Eastern Marble & Granite Supply carries Weha porcelain and ceramic core bits but they aren’t one of the products on the web site.
Surface Preparation
CS Unitec, Inc. Surface Preparation Page
CS Unitec’s concrete surface preparation tools include scabblers, scarifiers, needle scalers, chisel scalers and scrapers for removing paint, laitance, adhesives, and more to prepare concrete surfaces for coatings and finishes. These surface preparation tools also roughen, reduce and level concrete, as well as perform concrete keying and grooving.
Monti Tools Inc.
Manufacturer of tools designed for surface preparation. Their products include Bristle Blaster® which is a rotary tool and an alternative to grit blasting, particularly where spot finishing is required, and Vinyl Zapper ® which removes vinyl, adhesive residues, reflecting foils, stickers, decals and double-sided adhesive tape without damaging underlying paint.
Surface Protection (including masking)
Ram Board Floor and Wall Protection
Ram Board manufactures durable sheet and roll goods and tapes used to protects floors and walls during construction and restoration projects.
Tuckpointing & Masonry
Quickpoint Mortar Gun
The Quickpoint mortar gun attaches to a drill motor and dispenses mortar much as a caulk gun dispenses sealant.
RockKit Grout Gun
1.6 quart “barrel” attached to hand pump or 18 volt battery powered DeWalt or 12 volt Milwaukee caulk gun.
Tape
Brady Worldwide
Brady (NYSE:BRC) is a manufacturer of tapes, labels, signs, safety devices, printing systems and software.The categories of tapes they provide are aisle and floor marking tapes, pipe marking tape, arrow, footprints and dots, anti skid tape, caution and warning tapes, solid and striped tapes, DOT tape, underground warning tape, barricade flags and paint stripe floor marking stencils
3M™ VHB™ Tapes incorporate a durable, viscoelastic acrylic adhesive. Most are double sided foam tapes that adhere to a broad range of substrates, including aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, composites, plastics, acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS and painted or sealed wood and concrete. They are used in applications across a variety of markets including transportation, appliance, electronics, construction, sign and display and general industrial.
Gaffer’s Tape
Similar to duct tape but leaves no residue. It’s used extensively in the entertainment industry. Although expensive, it is a good solution in restorations projects for cleanly securing power cables to floors so that they aren’t a tripping hazard.
Microsealant Tape
Microsealant tapes are used to seal joints between two surfaces that are on the same plane or over corners around which the material can be wrapped. They consist of a sealant / primer combination on a release liner that is removed prior to application of the tape to almost any substrate. Backing on the adhesive can be of various materials including UV resistant polymers, fabric or foil. They’re sold as roll goods in various widths and used primarily where the change that the tape makes to the appearance of the joint or interface is of little or no consequence and the surface to which the tape is applied can be permanently altered. Once the tape is put in place it is extremely hard to remove. A typical use is over a butt joint in a sheet metal roof coping.
Vapor Abrasive Blasting
Graco Inc.
Graco is a world leader in commercial and industrial fluid handling systems and packages that move, control, deliver, dispense, and apply fluids. This link is to their Ecoquip line of portable vapor blasting equipment.
